Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery includes coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, heart transplant, assisting in minimally invasive transcatheter valve structural heart procedures such as TAVR, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion, septal myectomy, surgical ablation for arrhythmias, and reconstruction of the heart in congenial heart disease cases.

New hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines highlight importance of exercise, new drug class
HCM is widely underdiagnosed, but the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association hope their new guidelines can help cardiologists learn more about the potentially fatal condition and improve patient care.
FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls
The agency is urging healthcare providers to transition away from these devices and seek out alternatives. It is even working with other manufacturers to try and get similar products on the market as quickly as possible.
Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?
Researchers tracked data from more than 400,000 patients for a new meta-analysis, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock
TAVR is also associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury in this patient population. In-hospital mortality rates, however, are similar between the two treatment options.
Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER
A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.

Survival, reintervention rates for TPVR comparable to surgery

These findings, the authors wrote, should help inform the decision-making process when different treatment options are being considered.

January 11, 2022

Many cardiac surgery patients do not need opioids when they leave the hospital

The study's authors hope that “just in case” prescriptions can become a thing of the past.

January 7, 2022

Same-day discharge after TAVR is safe for low-risk patients, leads to considerable cost savings

TAVR and surgery tied to similar 5-year outcomes

Researchers examined data from four different randomized control trials.

January 6, 2022

Weight loss surgery associated with better COVID-19 outcomes

The findings suggest that obesity may be a modifiable risk factor for the severity of COVID-19 infection, experts detailed in JAMA Surgery.

January 3, 2022

Surgery journal appoints first female editor-in-chief

The move is effective Jan. 1.

December 14, 2021

AI model predicts patient survival after cardiac surgery

The advanced algorithm could make a significant impact on shared decision-making.

December 6, 2021

TAVR more cost-effective than surgery for low-risk patients, new 2-year study confirms

The analysis, presented at TCT 2021, examined total costs after two years for more than 900 patients who underwent TAVR or SAVR.

November 5, 2021

CUTTING-EDGE findings shine new light on mitral valve surgery after failed TEER

Overall, mitral valve surgery after TEER was associated with a 30-day mortality rate of 16.6% and one-year mortality rate of 31.3%.

October 8, 2021

Cardiac Surgery

New hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines highlight importance of exercise, new drug class

FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls

Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?

TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER